It's the most wonderful time of the year: Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster. Everyone’s favorite all-you-can-eat seafood deal is finally back — and it's getting a few new menu items.

What is Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp?

As the name implies, Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp promotion is a never-ending bounty of shrimp for a set price. It's a once-a-year thing, so seafood lovers should step in while it's still hot. Each year, the head chefs at Red Lobster create new shrimp flavors to go along with their three classic shrimp options: shrimp linguine, hand-breaded shrimp, and garlic shrimp scampi. This year, their two new Endless Shrimp menu items are Crunchy Fiesta Shrimp and Sesame-Ginger Grilled Shrimp — yum! Tiki Passion Punch, which features Sailor Jerry spiced rum, mango, passion fruit, and pineapple juice mixed with Sprite, is the featured cocktail.

Crunchy Fiesta Shrimp (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Red Lobster)

Sesame-Ginger Grilled Shrimp (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Red Lobster)

Red Lobster 2018 Endless Shrimp Secret Menu

Just like the shrimp, the surprises at Red Lobster are endless. They've announced an exciting new addition to the menu: Parmesan Shrimp Scampi. This entree won't officially be on the menu until October 22, but in-the-know eaters can order the scampi starting October 10.

Parmesan Shrimp Scampi (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Red Lobster)

In addition to the Parmesan Shrimp Scampi, Red Lobster is adding two secret menu items. Like we said, the surprises really are endless. Garlic-Grilled Shrimp Skewers and Popcorn Shrimp are available while supplies last to celebrate the final weeks of Endless Shrimp 2018.

Garlic-Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Popcorn Shrimp (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Red Lobster)

When does endless shrimp start at Red Lobster?

Red Lobster's 2018 Endless Shrimp promotions began September 3. One thing we’ve noticed is that Endless Shrimp returns to Red Lobster earlier and earlier — not that we’re complaining. What better way to celebrate making it through another week than with an all-you-can-eat shrimp dinner at Red Lobster? And for those history fans out there, here's a rundown of the promotion's past starting dates.

Red Lobster Endless Shrimp 2015

In 2015, Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster started on September 9. That year, Red Lobster offered pineapple habanero coconut bites and teriyaki grilled shrimp, in addition to their three classic shrimps. They also added two new beer cocktails to their menu: Seaside Shandy and the Angry Lobster.

Endless Shrimp Red Lobster 2016

Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp 2016 promotions started on September 6. The new shrimp dishes they offered that year were Parmesan peppercorn shrimp and garlic sriracha-grilled shrimp — yum! Though there were no special new drinks to coincide with the launch of Endless Shrimp in 2016, Red Lobster introduced fresh roasted brussels sprouts and whipped sweet potatoes to their seasonal sides menu.

Endless Shrimp Red Lobster 2017

Last year's Endless Shrimp deals started on September 5. Similar to previous years, Red Lobster's chefs rolled out two new flavors: Nashville hot shrimp and Mediterranean shrimp. There was also a secret-menu option if you asked: Cape Cod kettle-chip-crusted shrimp, panko-crusted red shrimp, coconut bites, popcorn shrimp, and garlic-grilled shrimp skewers. Berry Mo-Titos and Peach Long Islands were the featured drinks.

Red Lobster Endless Shrimp 2018

This year’s Endless Shrimp deal launched on September 3, and it's shaped up to be something quite magical — especially considering the new flavors. In addition to the three classics, hungry eaters will now get to choose between Crunchy Fiesta Shrimp and Sesame-Ginger Grilled Shrimp. Wash down your seafood with a Tiki Passion Punch cocktail and you have yourself a true feast!

When does Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp end?

Because all good things must come to end, your next question is likely "When does Endless Shrimp end?" The Red Lobster Endless Shrimp end date varies each year, but the deal is limited to fall. Sounds like the perfect excuse to go as soon as the promotion starts, right? The earlier the better, they say.

What is Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp price?

While endless shrimp sounds like a dream come true, you're probably wondering "How much is endless shrimp at Red Lobster?" Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp prices vary depending on your location. According to Eatdrinkdeals.com, Red Lobster's all-you-can-eat shrimp is available for about $18 (and this includes salad and cheddar bay biscuits). Considering that the shrimp supply is endless, that sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

So, is the Endless Shrimp really endless?

A lot of restaurants have "endless" meal deals, but will Red Lobster really let you sit there as long as you want and eat as much shrimp as is humanly possible? Business Insider sent two reporters to a Red Lobster in New York City's Times Square to try the deal, and the results were convincing: Endless Shrimp is indeed endless.

Their journey to chowing down on a combined 325 pieces of shrimp included such words of wisdom as, "Endless Shrimp is an incredibly popular promotion, but it's undeniable that casually eating a normal shrimp dinner is much more comfortable than gulping down over 300 shrimp in a sitting."

That said, it's nice to know that in an age when consumers are routinely nickel-and-dimed, you really can have as much shrimp as you want for as long as you want for one set price. Honest advertising is always a win in our book!